Jan 13, 2019 - Parables on Prayer

Growing in God's Word through the Ministry of the Word

Read the Sermon Notes and Listen to the Full Sermon

Text: Luke 11: 5-13

Have you wondered how God could ever take time to listen to your prayers given just how small and sinful you are compared to Him? If you have or know someone who has, then the linked audio sermon is for you.

Explore the Parable of the Persistent Friend (Luke 11:5-10), how it relates to our prayers today, and God's promise to answer our prayers.

Luke 11: 5-13

5. And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;6. ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;7. “and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?8. “I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.9. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

However, God doesn’t always answer our prayers when and how we want. Further delving into the Parable of the Good Father, we explore the series of questions concerning a father and a son and view examples which illustrate the point Jesus is making: "Whatever you ask God the Father for in prayer He will not respond by giving you something bad because God is good." Learn reasons why our prayers are not answered in the way we were expecting and how we should react.

Luke 11:11-13

11. “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?12. “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?13. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”Related Scripture: Matthew 7:9-119. “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?10. “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?11. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3

Instead of praying for the good things God has promised us in His Word we pray for the things we want which God hasn’t promised. And that’s why we don’t receive what we asked for, that’s why we don’t find what we are seeking, and that’s why certain doors don’t open even though we knock. It’s because we want the wrong things.

Paul prayed three times that the Lord would take away the thorn in his flesh. Instead God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

When we don't get the answer we wanted, we have to trust that God is always good. When a bad situation isn’t resolved we have to remember Romans 5:3-5 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." When healing on earth doesn’t come and someone instead experiences healing in heaven we have to remember Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Because as Philippians 1:23 adds “to depart and be with Christ” is “far better.” "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."Romans 8:28

Conclusion: "So keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking because you have a good Heavenly Father who will always give you what’s best when you pray."

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"